Abstract: A connector for a flat flexible cable (FFC) has a terminal holder adapted to be mounted to a substrate, and a plurality of terminals arranged within the terminal holder. Each terminal defines a plurality of sharpened tines arranged in a row. A cable holder is slidably arranged on the terminal holder and movable between an insertion position wherein an FFC is free to be inserted into the cable holder, and an installed position wherein the tines of each terminal engage with or penetrate conductors of the FFC arranged within the cable holder for establishing electrical contact therewith.

Abstract: A connector for a flat flexible cable includes a housing defining a receptacle receiving the flat flexible cable, and an actuator movably mounted to the housing. A conductive terminal is positioned within the receptacle and includes a first portion arranged in contact with the actuator, and a surface mounting tab extending through the housing and having an end positioned on an exterior surface of the housing. The first portion of the terminal is biased between an open position and a clamping position by the actuator.

Abstract: A press-fit terminal for connecting a first component and a second component includes a first elastic portion for engaging with the first component, a second elastic portion for engaging with the second component, and an intermediate portion arranged between the first and second elastic portions in an axial direction of the terminal. The intermediate portion comprises a first plurality of radially extending arms for engaging with the first component and a second plurality of radially extending arms for engaging with the second component.

Abstract: A connector for a flat flexible cable includes a housing defining a receptacle receiving the flat flexible cable, and an actuator movably mounted to the housing. A conductive terminal is positioned within the receptacle and includes a first portion arranged in contact with the actuator, and a surface mounting tab extending through the housing and having an end positioned on an exterior surface of the housing. The first portion of the terminal is biased between an open position and a clamping position by the actuator.

Abstract: A plug connector includes a plug housing coupled to a header connector and holding plug contacts mated with corresponding header contacts of a header connector. The plug connector includes an eCPA assembly coupled to the plug housing having an actuator movably coupled to the plug housing between a retracted position and an actuated position. The eCPA includes a plug eCPA terminal coupled to the actuator and movable by the actuator between a mated position and an unmated position for mating with a header eCPA terminal of the header connector. The eCPA includes an eCPA wire terminated to the plug eCPA terminal and routed to a remote electrical device. The plug eCPA terminal and the eCPA wire form a position assurance circuit with the header eCPA terminal in the mated position.

Abstract: A plug connector includes a plug housing having an outer wall forming a cavity. A portion of the plug connector is configured to be plugged into a header chamber of a header connector to mate plug contacts with corresponding header contacts. The plug connector includes an actuator coupled to the plug housing movable between an open position and a closed position. The actuator is configured to engage the header connector to provide mechanical mating assist of the plug connector with the header connector as the actuator is moved from the open position to the closed position. An eCPA assembly includes a shorting terminal operably coupled to the actuator and movable by the actuator between a mated position and an unmated position configured to be coupled to a first fixed terminal and a second fixed terminal to forms a position assurance circuit.

Abstract: A plug connector includes a plug housing configured to be coupled to a header connector. The plug housing holds plug contacts configured to be mated with corresponding header contacts. The plug connector includes an eCPA assembly coupled to the plug housing having an actuator movable between a retracted position and an actuated position and holding a shorting terminal movable by the actuator between a mated position and an unmated position. The shorting terminal is coupled to fixed terminals in the mated position to form a position assurance circuit in the mated position.

Abstract: An electrical device housing comprises a body defining a component space, a pin support structure, and an alignment element. The pin support structure is arranged within the component space and defines a plurality of openings sized to receive and support a plurality of conductive pins of a connector to be secured to the housing. The alignment element is formed on an exterior surface of at least one of a top or bottom side of the housing and is located to engage with a corresponding alignment element formed on the other one of the top or bottom side of another one of the housings.

Abstract: A receiving electrical connector includes a body, a slide movably connected to the body and defining a cam surface, and an elastic element biasing the slide relative to the body in a first direction. The cam surface is adapted to bias a mating connector received by the receiving connector from a mated position into a partially mated position in response to a force placed on the slide in a direction opposite the first direction and against an elastic return force imparted on the slide by the elastic element. The cam surface is further adapted to bias the mating connector from the partially mated position to an ejected position under a force applied on the slide by the elastic element.

Abstract: A press-fit terminal for connecting a first component and a second component includes a first elastic portion for engaging with the first component, a second elastic portion for engaging with the second component, and an intermediate portion arranged between the first and second elastic portions in an axial direction of the terminal. The intermediate portion comprises a first plurality of radially extending arms for engaging with the first component and a second plurality of radially extending arms for engaging with the second component.

Abstract: An electrical terminal for use with an electrical connector which includes a housing for receiving the electrical terminals therein. The electrical terminals have transition portions and substrate mating portions. The transition portions extend from a rear face of the housing. The substrate mating portions extend from the transition portions. The substrate mating portions have substrate engagement ends configured to be inserted into openings of a substrate. Shoulders are provided on the substrate mating portions. The shoulders are in a different plane than a longitudinal axis of the transition portions. Wherein forces associated with mating the electrical terminals to the substrate are transferred through the shoulders to an insertion tool used to move the terminals into the openings.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing receiving a mating connector in a mating direction, a slide movable with respect to the housing between a latched position and a released position, and a mating assistance assembly. The slide automatically moves from the latched position to the released position upon insertion of the mating connector to a partially mated position in the housing. The mating assistance assembly imparts a mating assistance force on the mating connector as the slide moves from the latched position to the released position. The mating assistance force moves the mating connector further into the housing along the mating direction from the partially mated position to a fully mated position.

Abstract: A receiving electrical connector includes a body, a slide movably connected to the body and defining a cam surface, and an elastic element biasing the slide relative to the body in a first direction. The cam surface is adapted to bias a mating connector received by the receiving connector from a mated position into a partially mated position in response to a force placed on the slide in a direction opposite the first direction and against an elastic return force imparted on the slide by the elastic element. The cam surface is further adapted to bias the mating connector from the partially mated position to an ejected position under a force applied on the slide by the elastic element.

Abstract: An electrical terminal for use with an electrical connector which includes a housing for receiving the electrical terminals therein. The electrical terminals have transition portions and substrate mating portions. The transition portions extend from a rear face of the housing. The substrate mating portions extend from the transition portions. The substrate mating portions have substrate engagement ends configured to be inserted into openings of a substrate. Shoulders are provided on the substrate mating portions. The shoulders are in a different plane than a longitudinal axis of the transition portions. Wherein forces associated with mating the electrical terminals to the substrate are transferred through the shoulders to an insertion tool used to move the terminals into the openings.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having a housing and a terminal alignment and protection plate. A mating surface of the housing has terminal alignment member receiving channels. The terminal alignment member receiving channels have first retention projections and second retention projections which extend into the terminal alignment member receiving channels. Rigid support members extend from a first surface of the terminal alignment and protection plate in a direction away from a second surface. The support members extend perpendicular to a planar portion of the terminal alignment and protection plate. The support members have flexible support beams which extend between the support members. The flexible support beams extend essentially parallel to the planar portion of the terminal alignment and protection plate.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having a housing and a terminal alignment and protection plate. A mating surface of the housing has terminal alignment member receiving channels. The terminal alignment member receiving channels have first retention projections and second retention projections which extend into the terminal alignment member receiving channels. Rigid support members extend from a first surface of the terminal alignment and protection plate in a direction away from a second surface. The support members extend perpendicular to a planar portion of the terminal alignment and protection plate. The support members have flexible support beams which extend between the support members. The flexible support beams extend essentially parallel to the planar portion of the terminal alignment and protection plate.

Abstract: An electrical connector which includes a housing having a first side wall, a second side wall and end walls. A mating connector receiving cavity is provided between the first side wall and the second side wall. Terminals are positioned in the mating connector receiving cavity. A shield receiving area is provided on the first side wall and has shield receiving slots which extend through the first side and open into the mating connector receiving cavity. An outer shield member is positioned in the shield receiving area. The outer shield has end sections which extend essentially perpendicular to a planar section. The end sections extend into the mating connector receiving cavity through the shield receiving slots. Inner shield members are positioned in the mating connector receiving cavity. The inner shield members extend between the terminals to facilitate signal integrity.

Abstract: An electrical connector which includes a housing having a first side wall, a second side wall and end walls. A mating connector receiving cavity is provided between the first side wall and the second side wall. Terminals are positioned in the mating connector receiving cavity. A shield receiving area is provided on the first side wall and has shield receiving slots which extend through the first side and open into the mating connector receiving cavity. An outer shield member is positioned in the shield receiving area. The outer shield has end sections which extend essentially perpendicular to a planar section. The end sections extend into the mating connector receiving cavity through the shield receiving slots. Inner shield members are positioned in the mating connector receiving cavity. The inner shield members extend between the terminals to facilitate signal integrity.

Abstract: Electronic assembly includes a printed circuit having a plurality of thru-holes. The electronic assembly also includes a conductive shield having a plurality of sidewalls. The sidewalls define a cavity. Edges of at least some of the sidewalls interface with the printed circuit along a perimeter line. The perimeter line intersects the thru-holes or extends immediately adjacent to the thru-holes. The electronic assembly also includes a plurality of grounding contacts that are each discrete with respect to the conductive shield. Each of the grounding contacts of said plurality includes a pin segment and a wall-engaging segment. The pin segments include compliant pins that are insertable into the thru-holes. The wall-engaging segments are connected to respective sidewalls. The grounding contacts are distributed along the perimeter line and electrically couple the conductive shield to the ground conductor of the printed circuit.

Abstract: An ergonomically friendly terminal position assurance device for use with an electrical connector. The device includes a terminal position assurance device for use with an electrical connector. The device includes a terminal engaging section and an engagement section. The terminal engaging section has a first end and an oppositely facing second end. The engagement section extends from the first end and has a bearing surface, the bearing surface has a surface area which is wider than the width of the terminal engaging section. The engagement section extends at least part of the length of the terminal engagement section. The bearing surface of the engagement section is configured to allow an assembler to push the terminal position assurance device during assembly of the electrical connector in an ergonomically friendly manner.